Pray for France

My deepest most heartfelt prayers go out to France and the people of Paris today in light of the vicious and cowardly terrorist attacks against innocent civilians. The news coming out of France right now is understandably chaotic and scattered with wildly conflicting and overlapping reports.

At the time of this writing it appears nearly 200 people have been killed by these evil pathetic creatures. Almost 120 at a concert hall where reports are that the terrorists threw grenades into the crowd and then opened fire on the audience after shouting out the usual proclamation these people scream before doing some hideous deed. I won’t even give it credit by repeating it here. Also reports of bloodbath as terrorists started shooting indiscriminately at restaurants killing dozens of diners sitting down to enjoy a meal with family and friends. At least 2 suicide bombers blew themselves up trying to get into the national soccer stadium where the French & German Teams were having friendly non-season match. In total reports are that 6 different coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris and the city is in complete lockdown and curfew with army being called in to patrol the streets.

Pray for France and its people, pray for the injured, pray for the family and friends of those killed, and pray for the souls martyred in this bloody massacre. Our generation is faced with pure evil and we must be strong and stand united against it at all costs.

Latest Timeline of Paris Massacre

20.37

Reports on Twitter emerge of a shooting at a restaurant in the 10th Arrondissement in Paris, in an area known as Little Cambodia. Police were said to be at the scene.

21.00

Reports on social media suggest at least 20 people have died in multiple attacks across the city carried out by men armed with Kalashnikovs and grenades.

21.24

The second of what is thought to be up to three explosions occurs outside the Stade de France. The first explosion was reported near the stadium at around 20.44, according to reports on social media.

21.57

Prime Minister David Cameron said on Twitter: “I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.”

22.07

The deputy mayor of Paris tells CNN that at least three people died at the stadium, though he didn’t refer to events as acts of terror.

22.16

Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Twitter: “My thoughts are with the people of Paris tonight. We stand in solidarity with the French. Such acts are heinous and immoral.”

22.28

French emergency services activate Plan Rouge to tackle the large numbers of casualties, according to reports on social media.

22.30

Parisians used the #PorteOuverte hashtag to search for or offer safe places for those fleeing the violence. The hashtag was soon trending.

22.46

President Obama delivered a speech at the White House, expressing solidarity with the people of Paris and calling the attacks terrorist acts. “Those who think that they can terrorise the people of France or the values that they stand for are wrong.”We are reminded in this time of tragedy that the bonds of liberte, egalite, fraternite, are not just the values French people share, but we share.”Those go far beyond any act of terrorism or the hateful vision of those who perpetrated the crimes this evening.”

22.50

An emotional French president Francois Hollande closed the borders and declared a state of national emergency.

23.11

AFP reports that multiple sources have told them that at least one of the explosions outside the stadium was the result of a suicide bomber.

23.26

At least five lines of Paris’ Metro train station were closed, according to reports on social media.

23.30

Reports emerge of French taxi drivers turning off their meters and offering passengers free rides home. A citywide curfew was reportedly put in place, the first since 1944.

23.50

A makeshift clinic was set up outside the Bataclan concert hall were armed men with an unknown number of hostages kept police at bay.

0.14

Police said at least 100 people died in the attack on the Bataclan concert hall. Three armed men thought to be jihadists were killed when French police stormed the venue. Earlier in the evening some hostage had managed to escape and some begged armed police to intervene to save those left inside. Not all members of the Eagles of Death Metal who were playing at the venue tonight have been accounted for, the band said on Facebook.

00.40

Reuters reports an unnamed source at City Hall in Paris said the current death toll stands at 140. French TV put it at 118.

00.46

At least 1,500 soldiers have been called upon to patrol the streets of Paris.